Samsung Confirms Plan to Make Foldable Displays for Major American Company

[MacRumors]

Samsung Display president Lee Cheong has confirmed plans to make foldable smartphone displays for a major American company, which is widely believed to be Apple.

As reported in Chosun Biz, Cheong last week told journalists in Seoul that the company is accelerating preparations for mass production of OLED displays designed for foldable smartphones to be supplied to a "North American client." He declined to provide further information about the client, but it is widely expected to be Apple.

The comments reflect the solidification of rumors around Apple's first foldable iPhone, which is now believed to be less than a year away from launch. It is expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026, featuring an inward-folding crease-free display, Touch ID instead of Face ID, the A20 chip, and two rear cameras.

Article Link: Samsung Confirms Plan to Make Foldable Displays for Major American Company

 

[Onelifenofear]

Touch ID

Doubt that very much.

 

[digimc]

Wait it's going to have Touch ID? Whoa had not heard that rumor.

 

[McWetty]

I’ll wait for Gen 2. Not a knock against Apple or the Fold phone. I just prefer to wait for the kinks to be worked out.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Could also be Google doubling down on foldables. They don’t have a vertical flipper yet.

I still do not see the value of a screen that unfolds into a square.

 

[Spock]

Touch ID

Doubt that very much.

If it is going to be thin, Touch ID might be more space efficient than the Face ID array. Samsung also has experience with under display fingerprint scanning and with Apple patents, I'm sure it will be better.

 

[TechRunner]

Texas Instruments is back and getting in the phone game! Great news!

 

[nfl46]

Touch ID

Doubt that very much.

Lol. Now, you know Apple has to hold back something for Apple Foldable Gen 2.

 

[User #07242024]

Return of the iBook?

 

[Strigoi]

Could also be Google doubling down on foldables. They don’t have a vertical flipper yet.

I still do not see the value of a screen that unfolds into a square.

I’m not keen on foldables aswell but I love to see where things head from here.

This comment made me think of that famous Ford quote: “if you asked what people wanted, they would have said faster horses”.

 

[EugW]

A friend of mine will be first in line to buy one of these. He's been holding off on new iPhones, waiting with his 15 Pro Max, until the foldable one comes out.

For me though I have little interest in one, at least if it's going to be US$1999 or more. So, I just bought a 17 Pro Max this year.

Wait it's going to have Touch ID? Whoa had not heard that rumor.

I heard that rumour like two years ago or something like that, and it's been repeated since. If true it's likely related to the thickness of the device and/or the fact the device is folded. Remember, MacBooks don't have Face ID either.

 

[ArchEtech]

The funny thing about this is, likely Apple will make a better performing folding phone than Samsung, after Samsung worked out all the R&D for them.

I wonder if the Fold X and the first folding iPhone will have literally the exact same screen, or if Apple will spec something different that performs better than what Samsung would be currently using? I can't imagine Samsung would allow that to happen. The latest Flip and Fold are pretty impressive.

 

[Crzyrio]

Touch ID

Doubt that very much.

It seems the most practical. Otherwise they would need 2 face id sensors. One facing out and one on the inside.

 

[usmaak]

For those who don't see the point of a foldable, head on down to Best Buy and spend some time with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. If you don't get it after that, then it might not be for you. And that's fine. It's good that Apple is apparently giving people the choice.

If I didn't have an iPhone and all of my stuff tied to Apple, that is the phone I would have. Having that 8" internal screen while being able to fold it to the size of a normal phone is great. True, it is thicker when folded but it is about the same thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro Max when folded and very thin when unfolded. The screens they use, though they don't have quite the pixel density of the 17 series, are very nice to look at.

 

[rightoff]

Would rather a vertical flip, small phones are best

 

[appleuser21]

The IBM ThinkFold is CONFIRMED.

*TrackPoint sold separately.

 

[EugW]

Would rather a vertical flip, small phones are best

That's what I might consider, but what I don't like about them is they are often lower end models. I'm not a small slab phone fan, but a flip might be enticing, if the cameras are good.

 

[spartan1967]

With Samsung's experience history & Apple's hardware expectations, this foldable will be quite polished for release next September. Looking forward to final dimensions & outer screen capabilities when released. Have decided it will be Apple or Samsung when all this becomes a reality (or not) 9/2026, new watch included.

 

[akula1488]

Rollable seems to be the better intermediate form factor until Smart Glasses are ready

 

[yossi]

Cute gimmic, would have much rather an Apple EV

 

[Plerf]

Who is the second biggest American smartphone maker, anyway?

 

[Plerf]

Wait it's going to have Touch ID? Whoa had not heard that rumor.

Hope so! I’d buy it just for that.

I dislike FaceID a whole bunch.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

For those who don't see the point of a foldable, head on down to Best Buy and spend some time with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. If you don't get it after that, then it might not be for you. And that's fine. It's good that Apple is apparently giving people the choice.

If I didn't have an iPhone and all of my stuff tied to Apple, that is the phone I would have. Having that 8" internal screen while being able to fold it to the size of a normal phone is great. True, it is thicker when folded but it is about the same thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro Max when folded and very thin when unfolded. The screens they use, though they don't have quite the pixel density of the 17 series, are very nice to look at.

I've tried foldables and flips. I do enjoy using the flip models, but don't see the usefulness, for me, in a foldable. I just don't need more screen on the go, but would like less phone in the pocket.

 

[MacTwick]

YES touch ID!

Looking forward to a foldable iPhone and iPad Mini replacement. Hopefully it's next iPhone launch!

 

[mblm85]

Let's not be too hasty. Screens that fold?

It could be Withings ordering them for smart weigh scales.